Variations in cross-sectional area and composition of equine tendons with regard to their mechanical function.

The cross-sectional area, collagen content, dry weight as a percentage of the wet weight and the tendon fibre percentage of the cross-sectional area of the equine hindlimb were determined in the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons and the suspensory ligament at 10, 12 and six sites between tarsus and insertion respectively. The values of each of the four parameters varied between different sites in the same tendon, between different tendons within a horse and between analogous tendons of different horses. Within a tendon the cross-sectional area was inversely proportional to the collagen content, the dry weight and the tendon fibre percentage. Within a horse and between different horses the cross-sectional area of a tendon was inversely proportional to the collagen content and the dry weight percentage. It was concluded that the cross-sectional area is not representative of the strength of an equine tendon.